Full Review

Buttercup

Buttercup
2018 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
85 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended

Buttercup
2018 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California

Pair this wine with:
Chicken Shellfish Turkey

Category: Chardonnay

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.5%
Yellow straw color. Aromas of crisp apples, juicy pineapple, toasted hawaiian roll, scented candle, and dill with a crisp, fruity light-to-medium body and a smooth, intriguing, easy silky vanilla custard, crushed pineapple, and spiced orange flan finish with moderate oak flavor. A toasty, juicy Chardonnay that hits the spot.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth & Oaky
Aroma Aroma: crisp apples, juicy pineapple, toasted hawaiian roll, scented candle, and dill
Taste Flavor: silky vanilla custard, crushed pineapple, and spiced orange flan
Sweetness Sweetness: Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Turkey, Roasted Chicken, Boiled Lobster
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A toasty, juicy Chardonnay that hits the spot.

The Producer

O'Neill Beverages Co., LLC (dba O'Neill Vintners & Distillers)

The Producer
8418 S Lac Jac Ave
Parlier, CA 93648
USA
1 559-638-3544

Their Portfolio

86 Agitator 2017 Bourbon Barrel Aged, Cabernet Sauvignon, California 15.9% (USA) $19.00.
87 Agitator 2019 Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Wine, California 15.9% (USA) $19.99.
BR Allegro 2019 Moscato, Muscat, California 8% (USA) $10.00. - Bronze Medal
85 Buttercup 2018 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, California 14.5% (USA) $.00.
BR Curran Creek 2018 Pinot Grigio, California 12.5% (USA) $.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Geneseo 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $12.00.
92 Hall Ranch 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 15% (USA) $20.00.
85 Hall Ranch 2019 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $18.00.
90 Hall Ranch 2018 Estate, Zinfandel, Paso Robles 15.5% (USA) $20.00.
87 Hall Ranch 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 14.5% (USA) $15.99.
86 Hall Ranch 2019 Zinfandel, Paso Robles 15.5% (USA) $15.99.
86 Hall Ranch 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $15.99.
88 Instigator 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $11.00.
85 Instigator 2018 Red Wine, Lodi 15% (USA) $11.00.
88 Instigator 2019 Chardonnay, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $12.99.
86 Instigator 2019 Red Blend, Lodi 14.5% (USA) $12.99.
87 Instigator 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi 13.5% (USA) $12.99.
86 Line 39 2018 Chardonnay, California 13.5% (USA) $.00.
BR Line 39 2018 Pinot Noir, California 14.5% (USA) $.00. - Bronze Medal
BR Line 39 2018 Pinot Grigio, California 13% (USA) $.00. - Bronze Medal
89 Spyglass 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $19.00.
87 Spyglass 2019 Pinot Noir, Monterey 14.5% (USA) $19.99.
BR Spyglass 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 13.5% (USA) $19.99. - Bronze Medal

Chardonnay

Wine Glass White.jpg
Serve in a White Wine Glass
Chardonnay is arguably the world’s most famous white variety, thanks to its success in France’s Burgundy region as well as throughout much of California. Chardonnay on its own has rather straightforward, pleasant aromas of apple and pear, but when aged (and sometimes fermented) in small oak barrels, the wines take on extra richness as well as notes of toasted almond, vanilla and yeast.

The most renowned examples of Chardonnay are from small villages and vineyards in Burgundy, such as Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault. These wines are very powerful with ample spicy notes and very good acidity; they age very well, sometimes as long as 20-25 years. Another part of Burgundy, Chablis, is home to more restrained style of Chardonnay. Certain areas of California, especially Russian River Valley in Sonoma and Santa Barbara County are also home to many distinguished examples of Chardonnay, with those from the latter region often displaying tropical fruit flavors.

Given that most Chardonnnays are aged in small oak barrels, there has been a movement as of late to give consumers a mored delicate style of Chardonnay, without all the spicy and toasty flavors. Thus there are now many producers that produce non-oak aged Chardonnays; this has been seen from many producers from Australia as well as a few in California as well.

Chardonnay, especially oak-aged versions, are quite rich and need seafood of equal richness at the dinner table. Thus lobster, halibut and swordfish are ideal food pairings.